Striving4Zen

It took two years, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally made good on its promise to conduct its own analysis of lead in lipstick. The results, suffice to say, ain't pretty.

The FDA, which published its analysis in the July/August 2009 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Science, found lead in all 20 of the lipsticks it tested, with levels ranging fro 0.01 parts per million (ppm) to 3.06ppm—more than four times the highest level of 0.65ppm reported in the groundbreaking 2007 study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC), which uncovered lead in more than 60% of 33 popular lipsticks.

Although the FDA stated that three manufacturers had the highest levels of lead, it did not disclose any names. (The 2007 CSC report also found a few brands with consistently higher lead levels, including L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Cover Girl.)

In a live Webinar held last week, Malkan noted that 39% of the lipsticks the nonprofit tested had no lead, including a $1.99 tube by Wet 'N Wild. (In contrast, a $24 lipstick from Dior had among the higher levels of lead.) "Of course it can be done," Malkan said. "Companies already know how to make lipstick without lead and that's what they all should be doing."

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Labels: lead, lipstick, make-up, study, toxic, toxins

The only things as important as eating the right foods for brain health are limiting your toxic exposure and enhancing your detoxification system.

Avoid Brain-Damaging Foods

The list of brain-damaging foods you need to avoid is short:

1. Processed, refined carbohydrates and sugar
2. High-fructose corn syrup
3. Toxic fats—especially trans fats
4. Food additives and preservatives
5. Alcohol
6. Caffeine
7. Food allergens (the two most common are gluten and dairy)

Eat Detoxifying Foods

If you want to enhance your detoxification and develop an UltraMind, you need more glutathione, a sulfur-like substance that transports toxins out of your body via your urine and stool. To naturally increase your glutathione, increase your intake of the following foods:

• Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, collards, kale, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, arugula, radish, wasabi, watercress, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rutabaga, turnips)—at least one to two cups, cooked, daily
• Curcuminoids (turmeric, curry)
• Garlic (a few cloves a day)
• Green tea, one to two cups a day (boosts liver detoxification)
• High-quality, sulfur-containing protein (eggs, garlic, onions)

Take Vitamin D3

In addition to what is in your multivitamin, you should take vitamin D3 because it is significantly deficient in so many people.

Reduce Your Heavy Metal Exposure

Heavy metals are some of the most toxic chemicals in our environment. The two biggest culprits are lead (from lead paint, leaded gas, and coal-burning factories) and mercury (from dental fillings, vaccinations, and industrial pollutants).

Avoid Environmental Petrochemicals

Limit your exposure by doing the following:

• Do not dry clean your clothes.
• Avoid the use of garden chemicals.
• Buy furniture that has been built without the use of formaldehyde or other preservative agents.
• Eliminate your exposure to secondhand smoke and car exhaust.

Source

Labels: brain, cruciferous vegetables, detox, detoxify, Dr. Mark Hyman, formaldehyde, garlic, lead, living holistically, mercury, toxins

Fancy candles look nice and can smell delicious, but if you knew that formaldehyde, ethanol and acetone were components of the fragrant air you're breathing thanks to those candles, chances are you'd walk around with your own oxygen supply for 10 hours (that's how long the emissions linger!)

Candles have long been the source of providing an instant pick-me-up to an otherwise boring atmosphere. With varying colors, designs and scents, candles can turn a plain, poorly lit room into a romantic, inviting space.

Along with everything else from grocery bags to beauty products, candles have begun a green transformation making them more eco-friendly by emitting fewer carcinogens.

While paraffin wax and lead-based wicks have been common components of scented candles, companies are now employing soy and vegetable waxes along with cotton or paper core wicks, which are friendlier to Mother Earth-- and your lungs.

These longer- and cleaner-burning votives are made with essential and natural oils that don't have petroleum-based notes. As an added bonus, they come in recycled packaging and, most importantly, are made of harmless ingredients.

Best Sound Effects:

Dayna Decker "Bardou" has an EcoWood Wick, which crackles just like a fireplace.

Best Kitchen Scent:

James Boyce for Voluspa "Tomato, Celery and Fennel"

Most Fun:

Soular Therapy Astrological Candles "Pisces"

Sexiest:

Illume "Black Lavender"

Best Basic Scent:

Paddywax "Linden," $28 at

Most Reasonable:

Votivo "White Ocean Sands"

Most Relaxing:

Thymes "Eucalyptus"

Sweetest Smelling:

Nest "Beeswax and Whipped Cream"

Full article --> NY Post

Labels: breathe, candles, clean air, cool new product, eco-friendly, lead, toxic, toxins